Apparatus and method for adapting audio signals

ABSTRACT

A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an audio control apparatus having a game audio port for receiving a gaming audio signal generated by a gaming application, a chat port for receiving a chat signal comprising audio information generated by at least one gamer, and an audio system coupled to the game audio port and the chat port. The audio system can be operable to detect an energy level in the chat signal that exceeds a threshold, reduce a magnitude of the gaming audio signal to a desired audio energy level responsive to the aforementioned detection, generate a mixed audio signal comprising a combination of the gaming audio signal having the reduced magnitude and the chat signal, and transmit the mixed audio signal to a listening apparatus. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/869,699 filed Aug. 26, 2010 which is incorporated herein by referencein its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to audio adaptation techniques,and more specifically to an apparatus and method for adapting audiosignals.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Multiplayer video games today are capable of supporting team discussionsover an Internet connection with players scattered in remote locations.Generally, the sound of the video game at each player's location can beloud and can at times make it difficult for players to hear each other

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a video game system;

FIGS. 2-3 depict illustrative embodiments of an audio control apparatusoperating in the video game system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 depicts an illustrative method operating in the audio controlapparatus of FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 5 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a timing diagram of audiosignals controlled by the audio control apparatus shown in FIGS. 1-3according to the method of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 depicts an illustrative diagrammatic representation of a machinein the form of a computer system within which a set of instructions,when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethodologies disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One embodiment of the present disclosure can entail an audio controlapparatus having a game audio port for receiving a gaming audio signalgenerated by a gaming application, a chat port for receiving a chatsignal comprising audio information generated by at least one gamer, andan audio system coupled to the game audio port and the chat port. Theaudio system can be operable to detect an energy level in the chatsignal that exceeds a threshold, reduce a magnitude of the gaming audiosignal to a desired audio energy level responsive to the aforementioneddetection, generate a mixed audio signal comprising a combination of thegaming audio signal having the reduced magnitude and the chat signal,and transmit the mixed audio signal to a listening apparatus.

One embodiment of the present disclosure can entail a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium operating in an audio control apparatuscommunicatively coupled to a gaming console that generates a chat signaland a gaming audio signal having computer instructions to detect anenergy level in the chat signal, reduce a magnitude of the gaming audiosignal to a desired audio energy level responsive to the aforementioneddetection, generate a mixed audio signal comprising a combination of thegaming audio signal having the reduced magnitude and the chat signal,and transmit the mixed audio signal to a listening apparatuscommunicatively coupled to the audio control apparatus.

One embodiment of the present disclosure can entail a method fordetecting an energy level in a chat signal generated by a gamingconsole, reducing a magnitude of a gaming audio signal to a desiredaudio energy level responsive to the aforementioned detection, whereinthe gaming audio signal is generated by the gaming console, generating amixed audio signal comprising a combination of the gaming audio signalhaving the reduced magnitude and the chat signal, and transmitting themixed audio signal to a listening apparatus.

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a video game system 100.FIG. 1 can comprise a gaming console 102 such as an Xbox 360™, PS3™,Wii™ or another video gaming device such as a computer communicativelycoupled to a gaming server over the Internet for playing online gaming(e.g., World of Warcraft™). The gaming console 102 can becommunicatively coupled to a gaming controller 104 over a wired orwireless interface such as WiFi, Bluetooth, or other wireless protocolswhich may be proprietary. The housing assembly of the gaming controller104 can be coupled to a housing assembly of an audio control apparatus106 with a mechanical guide 114 which can be inserted into a receptorpanel 116 of the gaming controller 104. The receptor panel 116 cancomprise a hole for engaging with the guide 114, and twoelectromechanical ports which supply a chat signal to a chat port (seereferences 208, 210 of FIG. 2) of the audio control apparatus 106. Thegaming controller 104 can receive the chat signal from the gamingconsole 102. The gaming console 102 can be communicatively coupled to aserver over an Internet connection for receiving audio informationgenerated by remote players which can be used to form the chat signaltransmitted to the gaming controller 104 over a tethered or wirelessinterface.

The audio control apparatus 106 can comprise a cable 107 tetheredthereto. The cable 107 can have one branch in the form of a USB plug108, and another branch in the form of a game audio port 112. The USBplug 108 can be engaged with a USB port of the gaming console 102. Onceengaged, the gaming console 102 can feed a power signal over cable 107to the audio control apparatus 106. The game audio port 112 can becoupled to an RCA audio connector 109 which branches out to first andsecond RCA jacks 110. The RCA jacks 110 can be coupled to any audio portthat generates a gaming audio signal (e.g., audio port of a TV receivinggaming audio signals from the gaming console 102, or an audio port of anamplifier receiving gaming audio signals from the gaming console 102,etc.). Once the RCA jacks 110 are engaged with an audio port supplyingthe gaming audio signal, said gaming audio signal is in turn supplied tothe audio control apparatus 106 by way of the cable 107.

A headset 120 can also be coupled to an audio port (see references 304,306 of FIG. 3) of the audio control apparatus 106 by way of a tetheredinterface 118. Alternatively, the audio control apparatus 106 can beadapted to communicatively coupled to the headset 120 over a wirelessinterface operating according to a wireless protocol such as Bluetooth™,WiFi, or other present or next generation wireless protocols suitable tothe present disclosure. The headset 120 can receive a mixed audio signalfrom the audio port over the tethered interface 118 or a wirelessinterface. In addition, the headset 120 can supply to the audio port ofthe audio control apparatus 106 a microphone signal generated by amicrophone integrated in the headset 120. The microphone signal can inturn be transmitted by the audio control apparatus 106 to other remoteplayers by way of the gaming controller 104 when the gaming console 102is executing a multi-player gaming application with one or more remoteplayers over the Internet.

It will be appreciated that all or portions of the tethering aspects ofFIG. 1 (e.g., reference 107, 118, etc.) can be wireless instead. Theheadset 120, the audio control apparatus 106, and the gaming controller104, for example, can be communicatively coupled to each other and otherdevices by utilizing in each of these device an RF receiver, transmitteror combination thereof (transceiver) that supports a wireless interfaceusing common protocols (e.g., Bluetooth or WiFi). Accordingly, wirelessembodiments of FIG. 1 are contemplated by the present disclosure.

FIGS. 2-3 depict additional illustrative embodiments of the audiocontrol apparatus 106. FIG. 2 depicts a top side of the audio controlapparatus 106. The audio control apparatus 106 can comprise a firstslidable switch 206 for enabling or disabling transmission of microphonesignals generated by the headset 120 to the gaming console 102. Theaudio control apparatus 106 can comprise a first thumbwheel 202 foradjusting the volume (signal magnitude) of the gaming audio signalsreceived by way of the RCA jacks 110 of the cable 107. Similarly, theaudio control apparatus 106 can comprise a second thumbwheel 204 foradjusting the volume (signal magnitude) of the chat signal supplied bythe gaming controller 104. FIG. 3 depicts a bottom side of the audiocontrol apparatus 106. The audio control apparatus 106 can have a secondslidable switch 302 for enabling or disabling the transmission of thechat signal to the headset 120.

The audio control apparatus 106 can comprise an audio system 113 locatedwithin a housing assembly of the audio control apparatus 106 as shown inFIG. 1. The audio system 113 can comprise a controller such as amicroprocessor, a state-machine, an application specific integratedcircuit (ASIC), or other controlling device. The audio system 113 canalso comprise other devices for sampling audio signals such as one ormore analog-to-digital converter (ADCs). The audio system can furthercomprise one or more digital-to-analog converters (DACs). In additionamplifier circuits and/or filters may be used to adapt audio signalsaccording to the present disclosure. The audio system 113 can be adaptedto control audio signals as depicted in the method 400 of FIG. 4.

Method 400 can begin with step 402 in which the audio system 113 isadapted to establish a volume setting for the gaming sound received bythe audio control apparatus 106 over the cable 107. A user can move thefirst thumbwheel 202 of FIG. 2 in a clockwise or counterclockwisedirection to establish a desirable volume setting for the gaming sound.Once the user has picked a setting, the audio system 113 can in turnadjust the magnitude of the gaming signal received over the cableutilizing digital or analog signal processing techniques.

At step 404, the audio system 113 can be operable to establish a volumesetting for team chat. Team chat represents team player voices which arereceived from the gaming controller 104 in the form of the chat signalpreviously discussed. The chat signal can comprise the voice of one ormore remote players which are engaged in a multi-player gamingapplication with the gamer wearing the headset 120. The team chat volumecan be adjusted by the second slidable thumbwheel 204 which can also beturned by a user in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction to adesirable volume setting. Once the user has completed the adjustment,the audio system 113 can be operable to adjust a magnitude of the chatsignal to the desired audio level selected by the user of the headset120.

Reception of team chat can be enabled at step 406 with the slidableswitch 302. Similarly, the microphone signal generated by the user ofthe headset 120 can be enabled with slidable switch 206 at step 408. Atstep 410 a multi-player gaming application (e.g., Call of Duty™) can beinitiated. At step 412, the audio system 113 can be adapted to monitorthe chat signal 502 (shown in FIG. 5) to detect a transition of energy506 that the audio system 113. Upon detecting a transition 506, theaudio system 113 can determine the energy level of the chat signalexceeds a threshold (e.g., XXX dB) established by the designer of theaudio system 113). The change in signal energy can be caused by one ormore players engaging in team chat. To enhance the hearingperceptibility of the player wearing headset 120, the audio system 113can be operable to reduce a magnitude of the gaming audio signal 504(see FIG. 5) established in step 402, while maintaining unchanged thevolume setting of chat signal 502 established in step 404. The magnitudeof the gaming audio signal 504 can be reduced according to a signalprofile established by the designer of the audio system 113.

To provide the player wearing the headset 120 a tactical advantage, themagnitude of the gaming audio signal 504 can be reduced rapidly (e.g.,10 milliseconds or ms) once the chat signal 502 is detected to exceedthe threshold. It should be noted that the new magnitude 507 of thegaming audio signal 504 need not be at a level that is not audible bythe player of the headset 120. It may be desirable for the playerwearing the headset 120 to hear at least some background gaming sound ofthe gaming application. Once the gaming audio signal 504 has beenadapted, the audio system 113 can mix the chat signal 502 with thegaming audio signal 504 having the reduced magnitude 507, and transmitit to the headset 120 over a tethered or wireless interface as shown inFIG. 1.

The audio system 113 can be adapted in step 418 to monitor the chatsignal 503. If it falls below the threshold mentioned above, it canindicate the players teamed with the player wearing the headset 120 haveceased to speak. In step 420, the audio system 113 can be adapted torestore the magnitude of the gaming audio signal 504 as established instep 402. Since team chat is unpredictable and can occur frequently, theaudio system 113 can be adapted to restore the magnitude of the gamingaudio signal 504 at a slower rate than the rate used to reduce it instep 414 (e.g., 1.5 seconds v. 10 milliseconds). The slower rate ofrestoration can be useful to the player wearing the headset 120 to avoidoscillations in the volume of gaming sound due to frequent on and offteam conversations. During the restoration process, the audio system 113mixes the chat signal 502 with the gaming audio signal 504 as it isbeing restored and transmits it to the headset 120 in step 422.

From the foregoing descriptions, it would be evident to an artisan withordinary skill in the art that the aforementioned embodiments can bemodified, reduced, or enhanced without departing from the scope andspirit of the claims described below. For example, in one embodiment theaudio control apparatus 106 can be adapted so that the player wearingthe headset 120 can also be allowed to define in the signal profile therate of reduction and restoration the gaming audio signal 504 at slopes506 and 508 shown in FIG. 5. In addition, the audio control apparatus106 can be adapted so that the player wearing the headset 120 can beallowed to define the degree of reduction in magnitude 507. The playercan be presented additional controls in the audio control apparatus 106to perform these changes.

In one embodiment, the audio control apparatus 106 can in whole or inpart be integrated into the housing assembly of the gaming controller104. For example, volume controls 202 and 204 (e.g., thumbwheels) can belocated on suitable portions of the gaming controller 104 (e.g., sideedges) so that each volume control mechanism is easily accessible to theuser. The first slidable switch 206 for enabling or disablingtransmission of microphone signals generated by the headset 120 to thegaming console 102 can be located on the bottom side of the housingassembly of the gaming controller 104 or another suitable locationreadily accessible to the user. The second slidable switch 302 forenabling or disabling the transmission of the chat signal to the headset120 can also be located on the bottom portion of the housing assembly ofthe gaming controller 104. The gaming controller 104 can be adapted withaudio ports to couple with the tethered interface 118 of the headset120. By integrating the audio control apparatus 106 in the gamingcontroller 104 fewer devices would be required thereby reducingperipheral complexity.

In another embodiment, the audio control apparatus 106 can in whole orin part be integrated into the housing assembly of the headset 120 in amanner similar to what has been described above for the gamingcontroller 104. In yet another embodiment, the audio control apparatus106 can be in whole or in part integrated into the gaming console 102.In this embodiment, volume controls 202 and 204 can be located at thegaming controller 104 or the headset 120, while the audio controlfunction depicted in FIG. 5 can be located in the gaming console 102.Adjustments to the volume controls in either the headset 120 or thegaming controller 104 can be communicated to the gaming console 102 overa wired or wireless medium.

From the above illustrations, it is contemplated that the components andfunctions of the audio control apparatus 106 can be centralized,distributed, integrated, and/or communicatively coupled to any deviceutilized in establishing a gaming environment which involves gamingaudio and team chat.

These and other suitable modifications can be applied to the presentdisclosure. Accordingly, the reader is directed to the claims for afuller understanding of the breadth and scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 depicts an exemplary diagrammatic representation of a machine inthe form of a computer system 600 within which a set of instructions,when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethodologies discussed above. In some embodiments, the machine operatesas a standalone device. In some embodiments, the machine may beconnected (e.g., using a network) to other machines. In a networkeddeployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of a server or aclient user machine in server-client user network environment, or as apeer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment.

The machine may comprise a server computer, a client user computer, apersonal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a laptop computer, a desktopcomputer, a control system, a network router, switch or bridge, or anymachine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential orotherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. It will beunderstood that a device of the present disclosure includes broadly anyelectronic device that provides voice, video or data communication.Further, while a single machine is illustrated, the term “machine” shallalso be taken to include any collection of machines that individually orjointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform anyone or more of the methodologies discussed herein.

The computer system 600 may include a processor 602 (e.g., a centralprocessing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU, or both), a mainmemory 604 and a static memory 606, which communicate with each othervia a bus 608. The computer system 600 may further include a videodisplay unit 610 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), a flat panel, asolid state display, or a cathode ray tube (CRT)). The computer system600 may include an input device 612 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor controldevice 614 (e.g., a mouse), a disk drive unit 616, a signal generationdevice 618 (e.g., a speaker or remote control) and a network interfacedevice 620.

The disk drive unit 616 may include a machine-readable medium 622 onwhich is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g., software 624)embodying any one or more of the methodologies or functions describedherein, including those methods illustrated above. The instructions 624may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the mainmemory 604, the static memory 606, and/or within the processor 602during execution thereof by the computer system 600. The main memory 604and the processor 602 also may constitute machine-readable media.

Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limited to,application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays andother hardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement themethods described herein. Applications that may include the apparatusand systems of various embodiments broadly include a variety ofelectronic and computer systems. Some embodiments implement functions intwo or more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices withrelated control and data signals communicated between and through themodules, or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit.Thus, the example system is applicable to software, firmware, andhardware implementations.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, themethods described herein are intended for operation as software programsrunning on a computer processor. Furthermore, software implementationscan include, but not limited to, distributed processing orcomponent/object distributed processing, parallel processing, or virtualmachine processing can also be constructed to implement the methodsdescribed herein.

The present disclosure contemplates a machine readable medium containinginstructions 624, or that which receives and executes instructions 624from a propagated signal so that a device connected to a networkenvironment 626 can send or receive voice, video or data, and tocommunicate over the network 626 using the instructions 624. Theinstructions 624 may further be transmitted or received over a network626 via the network interface device 620.

While the machine-readable medium 622 is shown in an example embodimentto be a single medium, the term “machine-readable medium” should betaken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralizedor distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) thatstore the one or more sets of instructions. The term “machine-readablemedium” shall also be taken to include any medium that is capable ofstoring, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by themachine and that cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethodologies of the present disclosure.

The term “machine-readable medium” shall accordingly be taken toinclude, but not be limited to: solid-state memories such as a memorycard or other package that houses one or more read-only (non-volatile)memories, random access memories, or other re-writable (volatile)memories; magneto-optical or optical medium such as a disk or tape; andcarrier wave signals such as a signal embodying computer instructions ina transmission medium; and/or a digital file attachment to e-mail orother self-contained information archive or set of archives isconsidered a distribution medium equivalent to a tangible storagemedium. Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any one ormore of a machine-readable medium or a distribution medium, as listedherein and including art-recognized equivalents and successor media, inwhich the software implementations herein are stored.

Although the present specification describes components and functionsimplemented in the embodiments with reference to particular standardsand protocols, the disclosure is not limited to such standards andprotocols. Each of the standards for Internet and other packet switchednetwork transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP) representexamples of the state of the art. Such standards are periodicallysuperseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentiallythe same functions. Accordingly, replacement standards and protocolshaving the same functions are considered equivalents.

The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments,and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all theelements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use ofthe structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparentto those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Otherembodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structuraland logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing fromthe scope of this disclosure. Figures are also merely representationaland may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions thereof may beexaggerated, while others may be minimized Accordingly, thespecification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative ratherthan a restrictive sense.

Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred toherein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merelyfor convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope ofthis application to any single invention or inventive concept if morethan one is in fact disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments havebeen illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that anyarrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substitutedfor the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to coverany and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in theart upon reviewing the above description.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader toquickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It issubmitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpretor limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in theforegoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features aregrouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamliningthe disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted asreflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require morefeatures than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as thefollowing claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than allfeatures of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims arehereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claimstanding on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus, comprising: a memory that storesinstructions; and a processor coupled with the memory, wherein theprocessor, responsive to executing the instructions performs operationscomprising: receiving a source audio signal from a gaming console, thesource audio signal being generated by a gaming application of thegaming console, wherein the source audio signal comprises a team chatsignal and a gaming audio signal, wherein the team chat signal comprisesplayer audio signals for the gaming application, and wherein gamingaudio signal comprises gaming application related audio output;detecting the team chat signal for the gaming application in the gamingaudio signal; determining an energy level for the team chat signal;receiving the team chat signal that is generated based on captured audiosignals from one or more remote audio capture devices, wherein the oneor more remote audio capture devices are assigned to a same team as thegaming application of the gaming console; detecting that the energylevel of the team chat signal exceeds a threshold of the energy level;reducing a magnitude of the gaming audio signal from a first audioenergy level to a reduced audio energy level responsive to the detectingthat the energy level of the team chat signal exceeds the thresholdwhile not reducing the energy level of the team chat signal; generatinga first mixed audio signal comprising a combination of the gaming audiosignal having the reduced energy level and the team chat signal;transmitting the mixed audio signal to a listening apparatus; detectingthat the energy level in the team chat signal has fallen below thethreshold; and restoring the magnitude of the gaming audio signal to thefirst audio energy level responsive to the detecting that the energylevel in the team chat signal has fallen below the threshold.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise:generating a second mixed audio signal comprising a combination of thegaming audio signal having the first audio energy level and the teamchat signal; and transmitting the second mixed audio signal to thelistening apparatus.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the reducingof the magnitude of the gaming audio signal is at a first rate, whereinthe restoring of the magnitude of the gaming audio signal is at a secondrate.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first rate is faster thanthe second rate.
 5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first andsecond rates are predetermined rates based on user input.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the reduced audio energy level is apredetermined magnitude based on user input.
 7. The apparatus of claim1, wherein the operations further comprise: detecting a volume settingfor the gaming audio signal; and adapting the gaming audio signalaccording to the volume setting.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe operations further comprise: detecting a volume setting for the teamchat signal, wherein the reduced audio energy level is selected based onthe volume setting.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the operationsfurther comprise: obtaining a signal profile for the gaming audiosignal, wherein the reduced audio energy level is selected based on thesignal profile.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the signal profileis stored in the memory, and wherein the operations further compriseadjusting the signal profile based on user input to generate an adjustedsignal profile.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a mechanicalguide having a size and shape that enables connection with a gamingcontroller in communication with the gaming console.
 12. The apparatusof claim 1, comprising a wireless transmitter for transmitting the mixedaudio signal to the listening apparatus.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1,comprising a tethered USB plug for connection with the gaming console.14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the tethered USB plug isconfigured for receiving power from the gaming console and supplying thepower to the processor.
 15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein theapparatus is an integral part of the listening apparatus.
 16. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is an integral part of agaming controller that is in communication with the gaming console. 17.A method, comprising: receiving, by an audio control device including aprocessor, a source audio signal from a gaming console, the source audiosignal being generated by a gaming application of the gaming console,the audio control device being releasably connectable with a gamingcontroller in communication with the gaming console, wherein the sourceaudio signal comprises a team chat signal and a gaming audio signal,wherein the team chat signal comprises player audio signals for thegaming application, and wherein gaming audio signal comprises gamingapplication related audio output; detecting the team chat signal for thegaming application; receiving a team audio setting to set an energylevel for a team chat signal; receiving, by the audio control device,the team chat signal that is generated based on captured audio signalsfrom one or more remote audio capture devices, wherein the one or moreremote audio capture devices are assigned to a same team as the gamingapplication of the gaming console; detecting, by the audio controldevice, that an energy level of the team chat signal exceeds athreshold; reducing, by the audio control device, a magnitude of thegaming audio signal from a first audio energy level to a reduced audioenergy level responsive to the detecting that the energy level in theteam chat signal exceeds the threshold; generating, by the audio controldevice, a first mixed audio signal comprising a combination of thegaming audio signal having the reduced energy level and the team chatsignal; transmitting, by the audio control device, the mixed audiosignal to a listening apparatus; detecting that the energy level in theteam chat signal has fallen below the threshold; and restoring themagnitude of the gaming audio signal to the first audio energy levelresponsive to the detecting that the energy level in the team chatsignal has fallen below the threshold.
 18. The method of claim 17,wherein the transmitting of the mixed audio signal comprises a wirelesstransmission by a wireless transmitter of the audio control device. 19.A method, comprising: receiving, by an audio control device including aprocessor, a source audio signal from a gaming console, the source audiosignal being generated by a gaming application of the gaming console,the audio control device being releasably connectable with a gamingcontroller in communication with the gaming console, wherein the sourceaudio signal comprises team chat information and a gaming audio signal,wherein the team chat information comprises player audio signals for thegaming application, and wherein gaming audio signal comprises gamingapplication related audio output; obtaining the team chat information,wherein the team chat information comprises an energy level for a teamchat audio signal, wherein one or more remote audio capture devices areassigned to a same team as the gaming application of the gaming console;receiving, by the audio control device, a team chat signal that isgenerated based on captured audio signals from one or more remote audiocapture devices; detecting, by the audio control device, that an energylevel of the team chat signal exceeds a threshold; reducing, by theaudio control device, a magnitude of the gaming audio signal from afirst audio energy level to a reduced audio energy level responsive tothe detecting of the energy level in the team chat signal that exceedsthe threshold; detecting, by the audio control device, that the energylevel in the team chat signal has fallen below the threshold; andrestoring, by the audio control device, the magnitude of the gamingaudio signal to the first audio energy level responsive to the detectingthat the energy level in the team chat signal has fallen below thethreshold.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the reducing of themagnitude of the gaming audio signal is at a first rate, wherein therestoring of the magnitude of the gaming audio signal is at a secondrate, and wherein the first rate is faster than the second rate.